The October 27 Archive currently contains 1333 objects and is regularly being expanded with more material. The archive includes flyers and programs from community gatherings held since the October 27 attack, a comprehensive collection of news coverage about the day of the event, oral history recordings reflecting a diverse array of experiences, and historical documentation about the Jewish experience in Western Pennsylvania.
You can view all the materials currently included in the archive using the browser below. Each object has been described and cataloged to help you discover materials, learn about these materials, understand the context in which these materials were created, and draw connections between different materials. You can refine the browsing experience using various filters, including creator, type, and subject. Some of these filters have already been used to create preset galleries, each organized around specific aspects of the archive. You can also look for specific words and phrase found in the archive using a keyword search.
Western Pennsylvanians share their life stories and reflect on the impact of an antisemitic attack in a beloved Jewish neighborhood.
Documentation of the October 27 attack as it was unfolding, told through news articles and oral histories.
Primary Type – Cards
Secondary Type - Cards
Language – Cards
Creator – Cards
Group – Cards
Location – Cards
Event – Cards
Handmade card in purple, blue, green, and black ink on white paper. Signed by Talia, Jacob, and Jayden. Illustrated with small hearts throughout. Smudging and staining due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "G-d be with you. Know that the great-grandson of Or' [?]- gollath will always fail through those who the follow one true G-d." David.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "We love you. Love, Sophie."
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration in blue and green marker. The message reads: "Nothing is lost on the breath of G-d." An illustration of a dove holding an olive branch against the backdrop of cresting waves or mountains.
Post-it note with handwritten message in blue marker. The message reads: "Hate is not welcome here! May love, community, and peace shield you with The Tree of Life." Signed: "[Heart] Temple Beth Shalom, Florida, N.Y."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note reads: "Dear Blessed Children of God, My heart is broken over the recent news of tragedy and the horror and fear that it caused. I pray for peace. I pray for courage and strength to continue to serve our God of love. I pray for healing and again, God's peace. With love, Jackie [last name redacted]."
Post-it note with handwritten message and illustration in black marker. The note is signed: "[heart] Dorothy" and features two abstract circle and oval shaped illustrations.
Card made by a student from the George Washington University Hillel. Front cover reads: "We Are One" with an illustrated heart below. The inside reads: "The GW community sends prayers and holds your community in our hearts. We will find a way to come out stronger."
Garland of synthetic white roses, green leaves, and ivy.
Card addressed to the Fienberg family from a family in Miami, Fl. Joyce Fienberg was a victim of the October 27 attack.
Square card with white and yellow text against blue background. Card reads, "Mitzvah4Pittsburgh. Some spread darkness. We spread light. Choose a good deed. Choose a Mitzvah. Add light to the world," followed by four options and a place for respondents to list their name and email address. Some names and email addresses have been redacted for privacy.
Floral tag from floral arrangement sent by Michelle. The tag reads: "Shalom! Love, Michelle." The message is written in black marker on a printed tag with a green background and floral motifs.
Floral tag from floral arrangement, which reads: "May the lord Be with you!" The message is written in black ink on a printed tag with white and purple flecked flowers.
Post-it note with illustrations in red marker. A cascading stream of hearts, outlined in red, begins in the upper left corner and extends to the lower right corner.
Handwritten card from a student at Goddard Middle School in Littleton, Co. Front cover contains the following quote: "Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy." Inside reads: "Dear Tree of Life congregation. I am a 7th grade student at Goddard MS and I was saddened to hear what happened at your synagogue and I am truly sorry.
White windbreaker jacket with black zipper. Pittsburgh Marathon logo on upper right front. Asics logo on upper left front.
Letter from a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The letter reads: "Tree of Life Synagogue- We in San Diego stand with you and all send all our love. Tom and Linda [last name redacted]."
Note from a member of The Church at Severn Run in Severn, Maryland. The note is enclosed in an envelope with church letterhead, reading: "The Church at Severn Run: Love Well, Live Jesus, Believe Big!" The note inside contains messages of love and prayer. The church's contact information is included on the back of the envelope.
Card addressed to David Rosenthal, written using personal details from various public sources.
Terms of Use
The October 27 Archive collects responses to an antisemitic attack in Pittsburgh, Pa. on October 27, 2018. These responses take many forms but share a motivating impulse. Each began in the mind and heart of someone who was moved by the events of that day and was compelled to create something meaningful from that feeling. By sharing these responses, those people chose to be vulnerable for the sake of a greater good. The October 27 Archive website was launched with the belief that sharing these responses with the world can provide an avenue for people all over the world to reflect, learn, and heal.
By entering this website, you agree to honor the spirit in which these responses were created and in which they are being shared with the world.
The materials on this website are being made available exclusively for research purposes. For permission to use any of the materials on this website for any other purpose, please contact the archive. If you are the creator of any of the material on this website, and you would like to provide context or request to have something removed, please contact the archive. If you intend to reference any material found on this website, please attribute all citations to the Rauh Jewish Archives, so that other researchers can easily locate these materials in the future.